Auchinleck Talbot aim for number eight

May 29 2009

CRAIG PETTIGREW dashed to the terraces to hail his dad when he scored the only goal of his Ayr United career.

But on Sunday, he will have an extra special celebration if Auchinleck Talbot win their eighth Scottish Junior Cup.

For Craig wants to dedicate a Talbot triumph to one of his closest pals who died in a car accident earlier this month.

Craig revealed: "He was one of my dearest friends and was only 18. I've lost a good mate so would love to win the cup in his memory."

Pettigrew will be a defensive lynchpin when Talbot lock horns with Clydebank in the Citylink sponsored final at Rugby Park.

He said: "I love cup finals and was man of the match when Bonnyton Thistle under 19s won the Scottish Cup at Airdrie.

“I also played in big cup ties for Ayr against Dunfermline and St Johnstone so although I'm only 22, I feel I have plenty of experience.

"Leaving Ayr after 2½ seasons was disappointing at the time but I just wanted to play every week and Talbot have given me that chance.

“ It was frustrating at Ayr in that I was signed from Lugar as a centre-half but ended up playing right-back and then right midfield at the end. That was never my position and I was rubbish.

"I played in around 40 games for Ayr but at Auchinleck, I am playing sweeper and loving every minute of it in my favourite position."

Craig still recalls his stunning strike which gave Ayr a 1-0 win over Raith and lifted them to second spot in the Second Division. He said: "I was brought up as an Ayr fan and I knew my brother Mark, dad Ronnie and a lot of his mates were at their usual spot on the terracing. So the minute I scored I headed straight there to greet them.

"They'll all be there on Sunday along with my mum Elaine and my girlfriend Sandie. So I hope I put on a good show for them. The atmosphere will be great and it will be one of the biggest crowds I have played in front of.

"But we know it's going to be a tough game. Clydebank have beaten Pollok who are one of the best junior teams around and they will have a huge support with them."

Tommy Sloan's Scottish Cupspecialists are hot favourites to continue their amazing record. Since beating Petershill 3-2 in the 1949 final before a 69,000 Hampden crowd, they have chalked another six of the best, the latest being three years ago when they beat Bathgate 2-1 at Rugby Park.

Sunday’s final kicks off at 3pm when admission is £8 and £4.Talbot fans will be housed in the east stand.